Picture Of The Week.

Strawberry Plant!

My hubby has given me a nice surprise when he came home for lunch today. He bought a strawberry plant for me. I am pretty excited about it. Not really sure where I am going to plant it yet. Perhaps, I am going to plant it in one of my big pot as the one I plant earlier did not seem to make it.



I did plant strawberries root in these pots about two months ago. Looks like there is no sign of any plants to come out anytime soon. :-(

Our Long Weekend!

Billy helping dada water the plants.

Hi All! It’s exactly one week today since my last post. I am doing great, still have my allergy but I am much better now. It’s getting warmer and humid here in O.R. This morning, we decided it is time for our air conditioner to start doing it job again. The heat is just unbearable and yet more to come as summer is approaching.

Mommy's little helper.

Nothing much is going on here in O.R. I was as usual busy with Billy and house chores, of course. Since the weather is warmer and Billy is now allergy free, I let him play outside more. Most of the time, if we were on the porch where his sand and water box are, I would drag my laptop with, do my internet thingy while keeping on eyes on him. It works pretty good for me. Sound very much like an internet addict mommy, huh! Okay, maybe should say a creative and multi tasking mommy …..haha!


On Saturday, I had a pretty bad headache. Thank God, it was gone after some meds and nice rest and we were able to attend the noon Mass service on Sunday. Glad we made it to the church as it was Fr. William Oruko last Sunday Mass. He is leaving to his home country tomorrow. Have a nice trip, Father William! After church we went straight to the store to buy a 'good-bye' card for him.


On Monday, Billy and I went shopping at the mall while dear hubby run to the lab for some quick work. It has been a while since just the two of us went shopping without dear hubby. Billy behaved extremely well, no complaint at all. I was enjoying the shopping, text dear hubby to take as much time in the lab so I could shop more….haha! So there I was shopping away from 12.30pm – 4.30pm. I bought 3 blouse for myself, 2 shirts for dear hubby, and 5 for Billy. Not bad for 4 hours shopping, huh!

I Feel So Bad!

There is something bothering me in this past week. I just cannot get it out of my head. Deep in my heart, I feel pretty guilty. Not sure if I have done the right thing but guess it does not matter anymore. How I wish had done otherwise so it did not come to hunt me back.

Okay, here is the story. Last week, just a couple of days before we went on our trip, a guy in his early 20’s, came and knocked on my door. Normally, I would not open the door for strangers especially when dear hubby is not around. But since the guy saw me from the porch,(sitting in front of my computer, of course) thought it was rude for just ignored him while we were staring at each other, so I decided to open the door and talked to him through the screen door.

He introduced himself as one of our neighbors, living just a few blocks away from us. I have never seen him before but it's a vast neighborhood. He told me his heartbreaking story, his mother has just passed away and he is trying to make a buck for her funeral by doing odd jobs. How sad was that? He asked me if he could cut our lawn. But dear hubby just mowed the lawn two days earlier. He then looked at our yard and say he could pick the sticks or if I have any other job for him.

I was speechless and nervous. Just say sorry about his mother and sorry for I do not have any job for him. Actually I want to just give him some money but not sure if I have any small cash (or any cash at all) in my purse. I do not want to make him wait at the door with some hope but then return with nothing. That's very mean. So I just say sorry, I have nothing for him. The poor guy said it’s okay and left.

I felt so bad after he left. What if he was sincerely trying to make some money for that particular reason? A few bucks could make a big different for him. So I decided to do what I feel was right, grab my purse, took out $10 (that’s the most I would give) and waited if I see him again. He might walk on the same street on his way back. Unfortunately, I have not seen him again.

So that’s the story. I know there was also a chance that he might have made up thing to get an easy money. But he was not asking for free money but work to earns it. So most likely he was very sincere. If he were doing it to go to college maybe I would not feel that bad, but man, this guy was trying to make money for his mother’s funeral. And to make it worse, it was just a couple of days before Mother’s Day. I wish had the guts to just tell him to wait and see what I can find in my purse. If only I had given him something even if a couple of bucks, I might not feel that bad. God, I feel so guilty. Am I too hard on myself?

Creating Happier Morning.

Got this from Billy’s school press today. Love the tips and thought should share it here so other mom/parents can use the ideas too. I am going to incorporate it as my new habit started tomorrow. Wish me luck!

‘Rise & Shine’ Ideas To Get You and Your Children off to A Brighter Start.'

1. Create a hot breakfast meal together. Have your children help you make oatmeal, pancakes, or your family’s favorite breakfast together.

2. Tell a story to your child as you are getting them dressed. If you don’t know any, make one up! Create an ongoing story about a dinosaur or a friendly caterpillar. Be creative and have fun! The story line is only limited by your imagination!

3. Institute a ‘calm voices’ rule for the mornings. Define when the morning period ends- perhaps when breakfast is over, beds are made, or whatever works for your family. Model this for your children and they will follow.

4. Prepare for the day the night before. Nothing upsets the morning routine like being unprepared and being late! Take a little time the night before and lay out the clothes, etc…..to aid in the morning routine.

Trip To Chicago.

Hi all! How were your weekend looks like? Ours was okay. Billy went back to school this morning, after been absence for the whole week last week. You should see the big smile on his face when his red school bus come to pick him up this morning. He did not even bother to wave good-bye to mommy.

Hello!

Okay, a little story about our trip. We left on Sunday at about 10.00am, drove through Kentucky and stop overnight in Lafayette, Indiana. It was pretty late in the afternoon when we arrived in Lafayette. Dear hubby as usual, decided to drive on a state highway, adding about 100 miles more to our trip. With the gas price close to $4 per gallon nowadays, nah tambah koyaklah pocket kawan…hihi!

Arriving in downtown Chicago. The tall building with the two antenna is the Sears Tower.

We arrived in Chicago at about 2.00pm on Monday. After a short rest at the hotel we went to Sears Tower which is only about five blocks from our hotel. It’s so nice to finally set our foot inside the Sears Tower building as all this time we only look at it from afar or from the plane when we fly to or from the O'Hare airport.

Billy & mummy just outside Sears Tower.

Sears Tower

The next day, we went to Museum of Science And Industry. Dear hubby told me that this is one of the must visits museum ……hihi! He visited the museum twice when he was only 12 and 15 years old on a school field trips. He said it was much more exciting then. Haiyaaah! So long time ago already lah(LOL). I am not a very big fan of science and energy stuff but to my dear hubby everything in this area was very exciting to him. I guess that’s why he is in that field and I am not……haha!

One of Billy Favorite area.

Hi ! It's me.

Billy listening to energy audio.

Anyway, I guess we picked the wrong time to visit the museum as many interesting areas was close for maintenance. Oh well, we will probably be back for another visit when Billy is big enough to understand some of the thing there.

Inside the Idea Factory.

Hi!

We left Chicago around noon on Wednesday, drove on the highway along Lake Michigan to Michigan City. Unfortunately, we cannot see the lake from the road. The rest of the trip was pretty nice. We stop for dinner and overnight at Kokomo, Indiana. The next day we drove to Indianapolis, had lunch in one of the busy food court there before heading back to TN.

To All Teachers in Malaysia - Happy Teacher’s Day.

We are back in town. Actually we got home about 5.00pm on Thursday. We had a good trip even though we drove through the rain on most of our trip. Hmmm…. I am not going to talk about our trip in this post. Perhaps, I would post about it tomorrow.

Oh yeah, today is Teacher's Day in Malaysia. Happy Teacher's Day to all teachers in Malaysia!

To all my friends in Labuan, you guys are a wonderful teacher, keep up the good job!

This is one of my favorite poems.

GURU OH GURU
(Nukilan Sasterawan Negara Dato Usman Awang)

Dialah pemberi paling setia
Tiap akar ilmu miliknya Pelita dan lampu segala
Untuk manusia sebelum manjadi dewasa.

Dialah ibu dialah bapa juga sahabat
Alur kesetiaan mengalirkan nasihat
Pemimpin yang ditauliahkan segala umat
Seribu tahun katanya menjadi hikmat.

Jika hari ini seorang Perdana Menteri berkuasa
Jika hari ini seorang Raja menaiki takhta
Jika hari ini seorang Presiden sebuah negara
Jika hari ini seorang ulama yang mulia
Jika hari ini seorang peguam menang bicara
Jika hari ini seorang penulis terkemuka
Jika hari ini siapa saja menjadi dewasa;
Sejarahnya dimulakan oleh seorang guru biasa
Dengan lembut sabarnya mengajar tulis-baca.

Di mana-mana dia berdiri di muka muridnya
Di sebuah sekolah mewah di Ibu Kota
Di bangunan tua sekolah Hulu Terengganu
Dia adalah guru mewakili seribu buku;

Semakin terpencil duduknya di ceruk desa
Semakin bererti tugasnya kepada negara.
Jadilah apa pun pada akhir kehidupanmu, guruku
Budi yang diapungkan di dulang ilmu
Panggilan keramat "cikgu" kekal terpahat
Menjadi kenangan ke akhir hayat.

Changing Weather

We are going on a road trip to Chicago on Sunday. Dear hubby decided to drive us to The Windy City for Mother’s Day treat. Thanks dear. I am so looking forward to this trip, would be great to get a little break from this wicked pollen in East TN. We will be back in town on Thursday. Hopefully the weather changes and a nice Mother's Day shopping therapy(LOL) would help me to recovered from my allergy faster. :-)

Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Weekend!

Happy Thursday!

We have nice weather this morning. But it will change soon as we are expecting a big storm throughout the Midwest today…eeekk. Typical weather in the spring. Glad the storm won't be here until late afternoon today after Billy get home from school. This morning before he left for work dear hubby told me to watch for the storm. I was surprised he forgot to remind me of the ‘when tornadoes hit’ safety guides as he always did. You know, don’t go near any windows, don’t go take pics as it come, run into the bathroom and all that stuff….haha! Okay, sorry, it is a serious matter but I have listened to the same stuff every year and have it stuck in my head already. Love you dear!

Jason Castro, the charming guy got voted out last night. Hmmm, I am not really frustrated with the result as he did not performed well enough this week, forgot the lyric while the other three contestants did a great job?….hehe…poor thing. I like him very much, esp when he sang 'Hallelujah' and 'Over The Rainbow'. It brought tears to my eyes, yeah yeah, I am a touchy one....haha. Syesha is getting better and better each week. I think she performed just like a star in the last couple of weeks especially on the ‘Broadway Week’. But she will probably be the next to go as the two David’s are just so good. For my very personal opinion, Cook is already a star and he should be the next AI. But I bet Archuletta will be the winner. He is very likable, humble and of course his innocent smile. Haiyah...how to ignore lah....haha! The final week is only two weeks away….yeah!


Last week dear hubby bought me Daughtry CD. He knows how much I like this bald guy. …hihi. I have been his big fan since he was in the AI three years ago. Love all the songs esp ‘What About it Now’ and ‘It’s Not Over’. It’s the kind of CD’s I would put in my player, put on the play continuously mood, hit the play button and leave it playing for the whole day…..haha! And I did!

New Use For Vicks Vaporub

It’s working!

First, I would like to thank you, Tim & Ann of Labuan, who forward this article to me yesterday. Hmmm…. You guys must have been tired of reading my on and on complaints about my pollen allergy in my posting recently. At least something good came out of it…..haha! Thank you guys! It has been a while since Billy and I had a good night sleep. So I was pretty desperate to tries whatever helps us survive this season. Spring season (in East TN) is officially in my ‘S’ list.

Anyway, I have tried it last night and somehow it’s work for me. I had less congestion, no coughing and much better slept last night. Of course my stinkin allergy is still very much kicking but at least I slept through the night. :D

Okay, here you go;


NEW USE FOR VICKS VAPORUB

WOW! I was raised, and raised my kids with Vicks. How come I never knew this? I cannot wait for my next cough. Amazing! READ IT ALL. It works 100 percent of the time, although the scientists at the Canada Research Council (who invented it) are not sure why. To stop night-time coughing in a child (or an adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and cover with socks.

Even persistent, heavy, deep, coughing will stop in about five minutes, and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. This works 100 percent of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition, it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. I heard the head of The Canada Research Council describe these findings by their scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children as compared to alternative therapies like acupressure.
I just happened to tune in to a.m. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical make-up of these strong drugs, so I listened. It was found to be more effective than prescribed
medicines for children at bedtime and in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly. My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100 percent! She said it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her. The coughing stopped in a few minutes, and believe me, this was a deep (incredibly
annoying - every few seconds!), uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough-free for hours every night she used it. If you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be amazed at the effect.

Happy Mother's Day!

It's only 5 days before Mother’s Day. I would like to wish Happy Mother's Day to
all mothers, wherever you are and to my beloved mom, Happy Mother's Day, I love you so much!

MOTHER

M is for the miracle of Being.
O is for its origin in love.
T is for the tenderness of seeing.
H is for a home no wind can move.
E is for the ecstasy of living.
R is for the recklessness of giving.


Mom lived her life for love of friends and family

Mom lived her life for love of friends and family,
Neither asking for nor wanting a return.
Her days became a sunlit homily,With others'
joy her joy and main concern.When we were ill,
she also became sick;
When we were cut, she, too, began to bleed.

Of our oil lamp she was the wick,
Drawing her bright flame from our need.
Some say that such behavior's out of date:
That self-fulfillment is the way to grace.
But Mom, without much choice, then chose her fate,
Finding greater truth in an embrace.
She lives on in the sparkle in our eyes:
Laughing, quiet, gentle, loving, wise.

Copyright by
Nicholas Gordon